Covering for diaphragms.



P. W. HILL.

COVERING FOR DIAPHRAGMS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 14, 1914.

1 146 622 Pgtented July 13, 1915.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed September 14;, 1914. Serial No. 861,560.

State of Massachusetts, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in Gov? erings for Diaphragms, of which thefollowmg is a specification? This invention relates particularly to coverings for the diaphragm of trench pumps.-

On account of the gritty condition of the water that is usually pumped with this type of apparatus, the diaphragm becomes useless-in a comparatively short time by being cut by the sand and gravel contained in the water. Numerous at empts have been made to prevent this, by cementing various kinds of reinforcing material to the rubber. These methods have not been very successful as they all materially decrease the resiliency of the diaphragm, making it stifi and therefore is more easily broken or cracked. As soon as an opening is worm through the diaphragm the latter of course becomes useless for the work, and no suitable means have been heretofore devised for repairing it.

It is the object of the present invention to provide means for closingand sealing any breaks, cracks or other openings which may occur in the diaphragm without decreasing the resiliency thereof, nor materially increasing the power necessary to operate the pump.

A further object of the invention is to provide a covering for the diaphragm which may be readily applied to an ordinary without changing the construction thereof.

Other objects of the invention from the following description.

The invention consists in a sheet of raw hide adapted to be placed over the diaphragm of a pump as hereinafter described.

Referring to the drawings :F igure 1 represents a vertical sectional view of a trench pump with the covering applied thereto. Fig. 2 represents a perspective view of a covering ready to be applied to a pump. Fig. 3 represents a radial sectional view of the diaphragm of a pump and a covering with portions of the pump shown in section.

Like characters of reference designate corres onding parts throughout.

' diaphragm 12,

he pump to which the covering may be applied, as represented in the drawings, has

the base 10 and head 11, between whichis clamped the outer edge of the india rubber of sand or pump tight andtherefore workable will appear by the bolts .13. The edge of the central aperture 14 of the diaphragm is clamped between the spider l5 and the standard 16 by the bolts 17 which extend through bolt holes in said diaphragm. The diaphragm may be actuated by the hand lever or brake 19 suitably connected to the cross-bar 20 and pivoted on head 11. At 21 is represented a common form of side inlet valve. 7

he covering 25 consists of a flat sheet of raw hide and is provided With the central aperture 26 and the bolt holes 27, corresponding respectively to the central aperture 14 and the bolt holes in the diaphragm.

he covering is applied by removing the head 11 and standard 16 and placing it on the diaphragm so that their central aper tures and bolt holes will respectively registor, then the head 11 andstandard 16 are replaced. (Fig. 1.)

While the main purpose of the covering is to close and seal cracks and other openings Worn in the diaphragm, it is obvious that the covering will protect the upper surface of the diaphragm from the grinding action gravel lodged thereon from the water.

As the raw hide covering is comparatively thin and pliable and the portion thereof on the distensible portion of the diaphragm is sufficiently slack, it will be forced down into a break or crack-c in the diaphragm by atmospheric and water pressure, as indicated in Fig. 3, making the diaphragm airuntilthe break extends way around.

It is to be noted that after the raw hide is placed loosely over the distensible portion of the diaphragm it will not materially interfere with the working of the latter.

Having thus described my claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In combination with the diaphragm of a pump or the like and confining means at thecenter and outer edges of the diaphragm, a covering, consisting of a comparatively thin and pliable sheet of raw hide, clamped at its edges to the corresponding edges of said diaphragm b said. confining means, so that the portion thereof over the distensible portion of the diaphragm is comparatively slack.

.2. In combination with the diaphragm of a pump or the like and confining means at the center and outer edges of the diaphragm,

Patented July 113, 1915. v

the edge of the invention, I

Q i v 1,14%22 a covering, consisting of a fiat sheet of com paratively thin and pliable waterproof material, clamped at its edges to the corresponding edges of said diaphragm by said confining means, and not secured elsewhere to said diaphragm and not made to conform to the shape thereof.

PETER W. HILL.

Witnesses v ALFRED H. MCGLINCI-IEY, L. B. WEYM UTH. 

